Scum trap



" 1,695,851 c. c. E. KERSTEN SCUM TRAP Dec. 18, 1928.

Filed May 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 18, 1928.

c. c. E. 'KERSTEN scum TRAP Filed May 28, 192'! 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented Dec. 18, 1928.

UNlTED STATES- CARL CHRISTOPH EMIL KERSTEN, OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.

SCUM TRAP.

Application filed May 28,

This invention relates to apparatus for treating perishable food-materiah'such as vegetables, fruits, fruit-juices, in such a way as to remain in unchanged, palatable and wholesome condition and fit for consump-- ly tion for considerable periods of time.

The objects of the invention are to provide means whereby the natural changes which such substances undergo at ordinary temperatures and air conditions are called into play to conduct the preserving steps.

The invention broadly considered coinprises certain subject-matter described in my co-pending application for Letters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 725,630, filed July 12, 1924, of which this is in part a continuing application. v

The invention consists in a scum-trap which is so formed and arranged with relation to the mouth of a receptacle that, while preventing the ingress of air into the receptacle containing the substances to be treated, it will facilitate the exit of foam and scum from such receptacle during the process going on therein and the prevention of its return thereinto, allowing theliquid constituents carried up therewith to drain therefrom back into the receptacle.

@ther features and details of the invention will be herein below set forth in detail and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Ihave illustrated what I consider the preferredembodiment of my invention. In this drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional elevation partly of the upper neck-portion of a receptacle with a scum-trap embodying my invention in position;

Fig. 2, an elevation broken away at the top of a preserving vessel with which the scumtrap is employed;

Figs. 3 and 4, a vertical sectional elevation and a top plan view, respectively, of amodified form of scum-trap under my invention;

Figs. 5 and 6, a top plan andla vertical sectional elevation, respectively, of another modification;

Fig. 7, an elevation, partly in section, of a further modification, and

Figs. 8 and 9, a top plan and a vertical sectional elevation, respectively, of still another form in which my invention can be embodied.

In Fig. l I have shown a scum-trap embodying my invention in use with a preserving receptacle A. This receptacle, it will be observed, is formed at its mouth with an an- 1927. Serial No. 195,126.

nular trough a, encircling said mouth and formed by two annular upwardly extending lips or flanges b and 0, respectively, forming the upward termination of the walls 03 of the receptacle. The scum-trap to be used with such troughed receiver comprises a skimmer H and a Cl1GCl -Cl6VlC6, in the present instance in the form of a somewhat dished check-plate h in combination with the same. The skimmer H, as shown, consists in a con ical receiving plate 7b, which is of such a shape that it will retain the scum and froth thereon while inclined to the horizon only just sufficiently o allow any liquids to drain therefrom h-.,ck into the receptacle A. I find that the angle of inclination best adapted for such purpose to be less than or thereabouts. The receiving plate It is formed with a central opening or conduit h and is provided with a downwardly extending vertical annular flange 7%, adapted to closely fit within the inner flange c of the receptacle A, and a second vertical annular flange 72, concentric with the first flange 72?, which is arranged to dip into the annular trough or groove 06 of the receptacle and within a short distance of its bottom, as shown. The check plate k is of a size suflicient to cover the central opening it of the receiving plate when it is in position. This check plate may be attached and mounted over said opening h, or it may be employed'in' a detached form, as shown in Fig. 1. In the latter case it is provided with a handle it forconvenience In handling same. Forthe purpose of allowing the liquid forced up with the scum and froth to drain back into the receptacle A, the plate 7& is provided with perforations h", as shown, or is reticulate or open-work in any desired or suitable manner.

The skimmer and the check-plate may be made of any suitable material, and I find sheet material of aluminum or an alloy of the same suitable, and preferable in some cases. I

The receptacle with which 1 preferably employ the scum-trap thus described, with its closure, is represented in Fig. 2-, from which it Wlll be seen that receptacle A, wh ch in the present instance 1s 1n the form of a Jarof an 1 suitable or desirable material such as earthenware, glass or metal, and which may be of any desired size and capacity, is provided at its mouth with an annular trough or groove a formed by the two annular upwardly extending lips b. and 0, respectively,

forming the upward termination of the walls at of the receptacle. As shown, the inner rim 0 is somewhat higher than the outer rim 7), extending above the same a small distance. For closing the mouth of receptacle A, a cover or closure cap E is provided, said cover or cap; having an annular depending flange or rim The flange 6 is arranged so that it will dip into the annular trough or groove (t, extending to the bottom of the same, but only partially filling out said groove, thereby leaving lateral spaces on both sides to contain a sealing liquid. The cap E in the instance shown rests with the interior surface of its top 6 on the inner rim 0. The under side of the top of cap E is formed with ducts or channels which in Figs. 1 to 3 are shown in the form of grooves f which extend-across the said under side of the cover and converge to and open at a point of the flange 6 where the notch g to be described below is located, as shown. The flange 6 is provided at g with a vent in the shape of an upwardly tapering notch, preferably triangular in shape. The notch is flaring outwardly and the top or apex of this notch is upwardly and outwardly inclined so as to be higher at the outer point g than at the inner point 9 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The device thus described may be employed for various purposes, but is designed primarily for use in preserving field and garden products, such as vegetables and fruits or fruit uices, in'a. manner not here tofore known. The manner in which I treat them with the aid of this apparatus is to per- I mit them to undergo at ordinary temperature and without artificial heat such.initial changes as naturally take place in them, with complete exclusion of the outer air and the germs, spores and bacteria carried by the same, to completely eliminate the gases and other matters generated during the course of such process, and to arrest further changes after the said initial changes have fully terminated.

Described in detail, my mode of proceeding with the aid of my apparatus is as follows:

When the material to be preserved or stabilized for consumption has been properly filled into receptacle A, the skimmer H is adjusted in place on the neck of the receptacle, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the inner flange 72, fits within the rim 0- and the outer flange 2/ dips into the annular trough a which is to be filled from ,5, to its height with a suitable sealing liquid, such as glycerine. The receptacle is then closed off aga'p'it access of germs and dust from the outer air by any suitable means, such as a sheet of cheesecloth, impermeable cloth or other textile material. The receptacle so equipped and filled is then allowed to'stand. If, on the day following. foam and scum have formed on the surface of the contents of resepta-ole, spreading themselves over the receiving plate It, the check-plate h is intro duced and passed below such foam and scum so as to cover the central opening it of the skimmer, whereby the return of foam and scum into the receptacle will be prevented while permitting the liquid carr'ed up thereby to return thereinto through the perforations it. The check-plate is preferably inserted under the foam on the receiving plate h when the foam is beginning to sink. 7 v

, When the formation of foam and scum has ceased and the same have settled, and also in the case of no generation of foamand scum, the skimmer and check-plate are removed and any foam and scum that may be on the surface of the contents are removed, whereupon the cap E, which is to be previously sterilized, is arranged in place on the receptacle, as indicated in 2 the drawing, the annular groove being sufficiently full of sealing liquid, such as gylcerine, to cause its level to rise to near the top of the rim 6 when the flange e is in place in the sai groove (1.

The gases generated in the contents of the receptacle, due to the changes going on therein and the air still left within the same, now serve to press on the sealing liquid in the trough, so that its level descends to the point 9 within the flange 0 and rises to the top of rim Z) outside thereof. The pressure within continuing, first the upper layer of air and thereupon the gases will pass and travel from' the hi hest oint of the rece Jtacle along the.

b p a grooves f into the inner part of the trough a and thence through the notch in the form of bubbles which travel upward along the upwardly and outwardly inclined apex 51 g and thence into the atmosphere through the sealing liquid.

In Figs. 3 and a I have represented a. modified form of scum trap under my invention. The form and arrangement of the shimmer remaining the same, the check-device in this modification consists in a check-p .e 1 pro vided with rods 2" slidably connected to the flange k by eyes or loops 2' secured to said flange and engaging the rods 2". l v hen'the foam and scum rise from the receptacle A they urge the check-plate upward into the position indicated in dotted lines in 3. In order to limit the upward movement of the clieclnplate, the rods 2" are provided with stops i at their ends. The check-plate may be immovably fixed in position on the rods 2" or it may be arranged loosely thereon, so as to slide downwardly on the same when in its upper position'and in case of a recession of the foam on the plate It.

In the modification represented in Figs. 5- and 6 the check-device, or screen, consists in a wire cage J arranged over the central opening it and consisting of an assemblage of wire rods y' meeting at a central point at the top and connected at the bottom by a. wire hoop or ring 7" to form a collar fitting into the inner flange b of the skimmer to which it may be permanently secured.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a wire screen or check-device IQ of a somewhat modified arrangement also embodying the invention isillustrated. In this case a frame formed of two crossed wires 7c and 7c and two concentric circular wires b 76 is secured to the receiving plate it over the central opening it of the said plate by attaching the depending parts of the wires 72 and 7c thereto. To the circular wires 70 70 are secured the-radial wires 6 whichv extend toward the center to an alternately.

greater and less extent, as shown.

In Fig. 7 still another form of screen-or check-device is shown as combined with the skimmer, which is in all respects the same in form as that shown in 1 and the other figures. In this modification the check-device is formed as a check-plate L of downwardly and inwardly inclined shape and provided with a small orifice Z at the center. This check-plate L is secured over the central opening it by standards Z which are attached to the check-plate and to the receiving plate I72, in such a way as to leave suflicient space between the two plates to permit the passage of the scum and froth between them and also the return flowof liquid.

The operation and function of each of the various modified forms of scum-trap in connection with the preserving process are practically the same as that described above with reference to F l and 2, except that the check-device remains in position on the skimmer during the entire period of the process in which the skimmer is used.

While I have herein described the cover E and its combination with the preserving re-.

ceptacle A as illustrated in Fig. 2 for a complete disclosure of my invention, I do not claim the so described cover and combination of the same withthe receptacle herein, since the same have been covered by claims forming part of my concurrent application Serial No. 725,630, filed July 12, 1924.

I Vhat I claim and desire to secure by Let-i ters Patent is:

1. A scum-trap comprising an inwardly and downwardly sloping substantially conical plate formed with acentral opening and inclined to a horizontal plane at an angle of substantially 15 or less, in combination with two substantially concentric vertical flanges extending downward from said conical plate, the slope of the plate extending to the central opening.

2. A scum-trap comprising an inwardly and downwardly sloping substantially conical plate formed with a central opening and overthe central opening for retaining foam and scum while permitting liquid to pass.

4:. A scum-trap comprislng an inwardly and downwardly sloping substantially conical plate formed with a central opening and two substantially concentric flanges around the'central opening depending from said plate, in combination with a check-plate arranged over the central opening.

5. A scum-trap comprising an inwardly and downwardly sloping substantially conical plate formed with a central' opening and I with two substantially concentric flanges around the central opening and depending from said plate, in combination with a verti cally slidable'check-plate arranged over the central opening.

6. In a device of the character set forth, a receptacle formed with an annular trough or groove at its mouth, said trough being formed by an inner and outer rim orflange, in com bination with a skimmer formed witha central opening and comprising a receiving plate sloping inwardly toward thecentral opening, a downward flange arranged to fit within and against the inner rim of the receptacle, and a second downward flange substantially concentric with the first flange and arranged to dip within the trough.

'7. In a device of the character set forth, a receptacle formed with an annular trough or groove at its mouth, in combination with a skimmer formed with a central opening and an outwardly extending receiving-plate sloping inward toward the central opening and provided with a double flange, one arranged to engage the inner wall of the trough or grooveand the other to dip into the trough or groove. 7

8. In a device of the character set forth, a receptacle formed with, an encircling trough or groove at its mouth formed by two upward flanges at said mouth, in combination with a skimmer formed with a central opening and an outwardly extending receiving plate sloping inwardly toward the central opening and arranged to it over the inner flange of said trough, and a check-device arranged over the central opening of the skimmer.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my si nature.

oflnL GHRISTOPH EMIL KERSTEN. 

